Kindergartens

Loddon Shire Council manages the enrolment process for all kindergartens in the Loddon Shire.

Expressions of interest for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten for 2026 open on 12 May and close on 28 July.

Expressions of interest can be completed via an online form, paper based form or by contacting Council’s Early Years Team on 03 5494 1200.

CLICK HERE  to download the expression of interest form.

A letter of offer for a Kindergarten place will be sent to families after the enrolment period has closed. For more information about the enrolment process for Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, please see the Kindergarten Enrolment Guide or contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on 03 5494 1200. 

4 year old programs

Children must turn four before 30 April in the year in which they will attend, to be eligible for funded four year old kindergarten.

3 year old programs

Children must turn three before 30 April in the year in which they will attend, to be eligible for funded three year old kindergarten.

Please note: children may only attend once they have turned three. 

In the Loddon Shire our Kindergartens operate combined multi age programs, incorporating three and four year old kindergarten programs together.

2026 Session Days and Times

These are currently under review. Information on kindergarten session days and times will be provided to families in August (TBA) when letters of offer for a kindergarten place are sent out. (please note these may change dependant on enrolment numbers)

Where applications exceed the kindergartens’ current capacity, places within the program will be allocated in accordance with the DE Kindergarten Funding Guide Priority of Access Criteria and Loddon Shire Council Inclusion and Equity Policy and will be determined by the Manager Community Wellbeing.

In accordance with Victorian Government Kindergarten Criteria, children are eligible for priority access if they are vulnerable, have a disability or developmental delay, and/or have qualified for a second year of funded kindergarten. If there are an equal number of places than applications received then all applicants will receive an offer according to their preference. If there are more applicants than places then the Commonwealth Priority of Access Guidelines and State Government Service funding policies will be implemented, as follows:

High priority children:

• at risk of serious abuse or neglect including children in Out-of-Home Care
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• asylum seeker and refugee children
• children eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
• children with additional needs defined as children who:
  • require additional assistance in order to fully participate in the kindergarten program
  • require a combination of services which are individually planned and
  • have an identified specific disability or developmental delay.

Having satisfied the requirements of Commonwealth Priority of Access Guidelines, remaining places will be allocated utilising the following Priority of Access guidelines:

• Children who have received funding for a second year of kindergarten; 
• Children who were eligible to attend in the previous year but deferred or withdrew from the service prior to the April data collection.

Other considerations may include date of application, siblings already enrolled at the service, attendance in the three year old program and local community zoning.

Council operates all five kindergartens in the Shire.

You are welcome to arrange a visit to your nearest kindergarten and meet with the staff. Please contact the kindergarten to arrange a suitable time with the staff.

Kindergarten Eligibility

When can my child start kindergarten? Your child must turn three by April 30 of the year they start a Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program. Your child must turn four by April 30 of the year they start a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program.

For more information, visit http://www.vic.gov.au/when-start-kindergarten

Does my child have to be immunised?

Yes. Your child must be up to date with their vaccinations to go to kindergarten in Victoria.

At enrolment, you will need to provide a copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register. Make sure your child’s immunisations are up to date before enrolment. More information can be found at

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/no-jab-no-play

Children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage can be enrolled without an Immunisation History Statement for a short time. 

How much does it cost to register an expression of interest?

It is free to register your child in kindergarten.

How do I register an expression of interest?

To enrol your child in kindergarten, please complete and return the expression of interest form. 

If you need help to complete the form, contact the Loddon Shire Council Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200.

How do I know my child's kindergarten expression of interest has been received?

After you complete the form, you will receive an email confirming that we have received your submission.

Can I change my preferences before I get an offer of a place?

Yes. To change your preferences or other details, please contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Can I cancel my preferences before I get an offer of a place?

Yes. To change your preferences or other details, please contact Loddon Shire Council’s Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Can I cancel my child’s kindergarten expression of interest?

Yes. To cancel your registration, contact the Loddon Shire Council Early Years team on (03) 5494 1200 or earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au

Is my information safe?

Yes. Information is kept in a safe and private database.

If you accept a kindergarten place, we will give the kindergarten your contact information. Kindergartens must also keep information safe and follow strict privacy laws.

Offers

How are kindergarten places given out?

Loddon Shire Council prioritises places for children most in need. We ask for information on the enrolment form determine if your child meets kindergarten priority of access criteria. For more information about priority criteria and how places are given out, see the Department of Education Priority of Access criteria

If you would like more information on how Loddon Shire Council allocates kindergarten places, contact the Early Years team on earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au or (03) 5494 1200.  

For children who do not meet priority criteria, a random ballot is used to give each child their highest available preference. There is no ‘first in, first served’ rule.

How and when are offers made?

First round offers are made in August.

If your child has received a first round offer, we will tell you in an email or text message. You have 14 days to accept the offer, or decline and be put on the waiting list.

If your child has not received a first round offer, we will send you an email or text message telling you that your child has been put on the waiting list.

Second round offers are made in late September and include all children on the waiting list.

Any later offers are made when places become available.

You can accept or decline an offer by replying to the email or text message.

What happens after I accept a kindergarten place?

When you accept a kindergarten place, we will contact you to finalise the enrolment of your child at kindergarten.

Can I defer an offer?

No, offers for kindergarten places cannot be deferred. You must either accept or decline the offer. If you decline the offer you can enrol again for next year or contact Loddon Shire Council Early Years team to talk about other local kindergarten options on earlyyears@loddon.vic.gov.au or (03) 5494 1200.

Expression of Interest Form